CASSELTON, N.D. (KFGO) – After months of discussions and meetings among the City of Casselton Zoning and Planning Committee, citizens, and project developers, the city council passed the necessary motions to pave the way for a $400 million soybean crushing plant that is set to be built just west of town.
Three approved motions were necessary in order for the developer, North Dakota Soybean Processors (NDSP), to move the project forward. First was a zoning change for the property from agricultural use to heavy industrial use. Next was to grant a conditional use permit to NDSP.
The final motion regarding the plant was the approval of the plat of land the plant will sit on. The motion was approved under the condition that the city would not annex the land if NDSP provides $100,000 annual payments to the city over a period of 15 years.
Citizens were allowed a couple of minutes each to address the council on each of the motions. Opinions on both sides were represented in the public discussion period, although most were in opposition of the plant being built in the proposed location due to reasons ranging from nuisances like noise and light pollution to physical safety concerns such as heavy truck traffic and dust.
“I am appalled that we are not looking at moving this three miles out of town where farmers are willing to swap land,” said Greg Kempel, who added that putting the plant in the proposed location is a public health concern. “This shouldn’t be here. If we showed a show of hands, 100% of the people would say, ‘let’s bring this plant here.’ All we’re talking about is location. We should not be harming the public.”
Several members of the public asked the council to table the vote until more discussion with the public could address concerns or other options could be weighed.
Council member Joan Carvell said there have been four meetings on the matter and she asked for people to talk to her. She said she has had more people in favor of the project than against it. She also said she has done research, including visiting a plant to see one in operation for herself. She said she didn’t find the concerns brought forth in opposition to the plant.
All three motions passed 5-1 with the lone dissenting vote being from council member Charlie Francis who said he is disappointed in the result, but doesn’t think the conversation is over and said he looks forward to the next step.
“I think the citizens lost out big on this,” Francis said. “We’ll see what tomorrow brings. I’m sure there’s plenty of other plans in place for what to do now. I’m sure this won’t be the last we’ll hear of it.”
Mayor Lee Anderson said he is pleased with the outcome.
“I think it went reasonably well,” Anderson said. “We had some opposition in the community and they had an opportunity to be heard. In the end, I’m pleased with the result that the council came up with.”
Eric Slater of CGB Enterprises said he is pleased with the outcome as well and hopes the project can get underway by mid-summer.
“We want to be here,” Slater said. “We’re happy to be here. We were happy to see the motion pass.”
Slater said the project will take at least 24 months to complete.
